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sustainabletimes
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Durham University has set itself an
ambitious target of a 30% carbon
reduction by 2013/2014 so one
would expect any new building to
be designed and built to the highest
environmental standards. Even so,
with an excellent rating under the
Building Research Establishment’s
Environmental Assessment Method
(BREEAM), the Palatine Centre is
clearly out of the ordinary.
Providing offices and student services
under one ‘green’ roof, the building was
designed to be efficient and ecological
from the outset. As well as taking
advantage of the latest technology in
solar collectors, photo-voltaics, natural
ventilation, solar shading, rainwater
harvesting and green roofing, the
architects have used recycled and ‘Green
guide’ materials throughout.
The result is a building that generates
15% of its own energy and constantly
adapts and responds to the surrounding
environmental conditions to reduce the
need for heating/cooling and minimise
unnecessary energy use.
Office spaces include motion-
activated lights to save energy, integral
recycling with dedicated waste areas,
and the use of natural light; while
outside 65m
2
of solar thermal panels
provide hot water for the kitchens and
160 photovoltaic panels on the roof
provide a source of low carbon energy.
‘Green’ Roofs
More than 15% of the Palatine Centre’s
roof has been planted with flowering
sedum. As this surface doesn’t heat up to
the same extent as concrete or shingle,
it helps keep the building temperature
down in summer and, through an oasis
effect, cools the surrounding area. Green
roofs help retain rain water and reduce
‘run-off’, too, lessening the pressure on
sewer systems. Elsewhere on the roof,
solar collectors reduce water heating
demand.
Cedar cladding on the roof and the
external structure protects the building
from the elements and in time will fade
to a soft grey as part of the natural
weathering process. The wood’s open
cell composite construction is naturally
resistant to damp and decay and boasts
excellent thermal and acoustic properties.
green buildings
Lighting and Solar Shading
With the dual purpose of reducing
energy consumption and taking full
advantage of natural light, the Palatine
Centre maximises available light from a
large, predominantly north facing glazed
façade. Artificial lighting in work areas is
efficiently controlled by daylight sensors,
while less used areas feature automatic
presence and absence detection
technology that switches lights on and
off as necessary. The centre’s overhanging
roofs and internal roller blinds provide
solar shading and glare protection.
The Palatine Centre is designed to be
naturally ventilated. Sophisticated energy
modelling was used to optimise window
sizes and openings, and energy efficient
air source heat pumps with waste heat
recycling are only incorporated to cool
high occupancy spaces.
www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace
www.durham.ac.uk
Green beacon
More than 15%
of the Palatine
Centre’s roof has
been planted
with flowering
sedum.
“
The Palatine Centre at Durham University is packed with the latest green
technologies, from solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic panels to
rainwater harvesting and sedum roofing, making it a beacon
of sustainability on the edge of thisWorld Heritage site.